Cartridge loading motion picture projection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for a cartridge-loading motion picture projector has an opening or slot therein for receiving portions of a film feeding mechanism that is used for extracting film from a film roll within the cartridge and for feeding the film to automatic or self threading devices of the motion picture projector. The cartridge has a deflectable member, such as a spring or tongue, positioned with respect to said opening so that entrance of the film feeding mechanism into the cartridge deflects such member from its normal position to a film guiding position within the cartridge. The deflectable member is located in the cartridge so that during rotation of the film roll in an unwinding direction by the film feeding mechanism the leading end of the film engages the member and is guided by it to a tip end of a film engages the member and is guided by it to a tip end of a film stripping finger. The finger then lifts the leading end of the film from the roll and delivers it through a guide slot or channel to automatic threading devices of the projector. The apparatus of this invention also comprises improved film feeding mechanisms that are useful with the cartridge disclosed herein as well as with other cartridges. Such film feeding mechanisms comprise means for deflecting the deflectable member as the mechanism enters the film cartridge, and means for narrowing the normal slot or channel between a film drive belt and the film stripping member, thereby to improve film feeding operations of the mechanism and to deliver film from the device properly oriented for reception by an automatic threading device of the projector.

United States Patent Andrews 1 June 20, 1972 [54] CARTRIDGE LOADINGMOTION PICTURE PROJECTION APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Peter Andrews,Penfield, N.Y.

Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: March 18, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 20,507

[73] Assignee:

[52] [1.5. CI ..242/192, 242/197 I51 Int. Cl. ..G03b 23/02,Gl1b 15/32,B65h 12/14 I58] Field ofSearch ..242/192, 195, 186, 188, 197,

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Attorney-Robert W. Hampton and G.Herman Childress [5 7] ABSTRACT A cartridge for a cartridge-loadingmotion picture projector has an opening or slot therein for receivingportions of a film feeding mechanism that is used for extracting filmfrom a film roll within the cartridge and for feeding the film toautomatic or self threading devices of the motion picture projector. Thecartridge has a deflectable member, such as a spring or tongue,positioned with respect to said opening so that entrance of the filmfeeding mechanism into the cartridge deflects such member from itsnormal position to a film guiding position within the cartridge. Thedefiectable member is located in the cartridge so that during rotationof the film roll in an unwinding direction by the film feeding mechanismthe leading end of the film engages the member and is guided by it to atip end of a film engages the member and is guided by it to a tip end ofa film stripping finger. The finger then lifts the leading end of thefilm from the roll and delivers it through a guide slot or channel toautomatic threading devices of the projector. The apparatus of thisinvention also comprises improved film feeding mechanisms that areuseful with the cartridge disclosed herein as well as with othercartridges Such film feeding mechanisms comprise means for deflectingthe deflectable member as the mechanism enters the film cartridge, andmeans for narrowing the normal slot or channel between a film drive beltand the film stripping member, thereby to improve film feedingoperations of the mechanism and to deliver film from the device properlyoriented for reception by an automatic threading device of theprojector.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHZO I972 3, 670.989 sum 1 or 2 33PETER ANDREWS INVENTOR.

'BY/ 3 WM 044.

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUHZO I872 3.670.989

SHEET 2 or 2 PETER ANDREWS INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS CARTRIDGE LOADING MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION APPARATUSCROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonlyassigned copending US. patent application Ser. No. 643,503, entitledCARTRIDGE FOR REEL OF STRIP MATERIAL, filed on June 5, 1967 in the nameof John J. Bundschuh et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,276; Ser. No.685,616, entitled CINEMATOGRAPHIC PROJECTORS OR THE LIKE AND CARTRIDGESFOR USE THEREWITH, filed on Nov. 24, 1967 in the name of John J.Bundschuh, now US. Pat. No. 3,522,683; Ser. No. 731,377, entitled FILMSTRIPPING MECHANISM, filed on May 23, 1968 in the name of Allan M.Palmer, now US. Pat. No. 3,550,880; Ser. No. 731,561, entitledCARTRIDGE, filed on May 23, 1968 in the name of John J. Bundschuh, nowU.S. Pat. No. 3,554,462; and Ser. No. 731,562, entitled CAR- TRIDGE,filed on May 23, 1968 in the name of John J. Bundschuh, now U.S. Pat.No. 3,547,373.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to cartridge loading motion picture projectionapparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to improvedconstructions for cartridges for mou'on picture projectors, and toimproved film feeding mechanisms for extracting film from suchcartridges and for delivering such film to automatic threading devicesof the motion picture projector.

2. Description of the Prior Art The beforementioned US. Pat. No.3,544,462 and No. 3,547,373 disclose cartridges for motion pictureprojectors that are adapted to receive a roll of film or the like woundon a film reel. Film is removed from such cartridges and delivered toself threading devices of a projector by film feeding mechanisms, suchas disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,518 issued toE. S. McKee on Feb. 25, 1969. One embodiment of such mechanism disclosedin the McKee patent comprises and endless film feeding belt trainedabout two pulleys and a film stripping finger, both of which are adaptedto enter the cartridge through an opening or slot in the lower endthereof for engaging the film roll within the cartridge. The belt isdriven in a direction for rotating the film roll within the cartridge inan unwinding direction, thereby to bring the leading end of the filmroll into engagement with the film stripping finger which deflects theleading end of the film from the roll and directs it through a film pathformed by a portion of the finger and one reach of the belt. Because ofthe tendency of motion picture film to clockspring (i.e., to becomeloose on the film roll and expand radially outwardly to form a veryloose film roll) and because the film roll in the cartridge may besubstantially smaller than the maximum capacity of the cartridge, it ispossible for the film feeding device disclosed in the McKee patent toenter into the cartridge by a distance that permits the leading end ofthe firm to pass between the drive belt and the outer circumference ofthe chamber within the cartridge that houses the film. This could resultin film not being fed to the stripping finger. This problem can beavoided by mounting the drive belt about at least three pulleys arrangedsubstantially at the apices of a triangle so that the belt travels in agenerally triangular path, such being disclosed in the beforementionedUS. Pat. No. 3,536,276, No. 3,552,683 and No. 3,550,880. While thissolution has proved quite satisfactory, it does increase the cost of thefilm feeding mechanism due to the extra pulley and other associatedstructures. The present invention provides an alternative solution tothis problem by an improvement in the film cartridge itself. Theinvention also relates to improvements in film feeding mechanisms thatadapt them for use with such cartridges, and also increases the drivingforce of the mechanism on the film and properly orients the film fordelivery to the automatic threading devices of the projector. A memberdeflectable into a cartridge by a film feeding SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAmong the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision ofa cartridge for a roll of film or the like wherein the film is guidedaway from a wall of the cartridge to a film feeding mechanism. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a cartridge and film feedingmechanism that cooperate to eliminate the need for certain specialconstructions of film feeding mechanisms (such as discussedhereinbefore) without eliminating the result achieved by thosemechanisms. Another object of the invention is to provide improved filmfeeding mechanisms suitable for use with cartridges of this inventionand with other cartridges. A further object of the invention is toprovide an improved film feeding mechanism which assures a positivedriving connection between the film and drive means of such mechanism,and to an improved film feeding mechanism that delivers film from themechanism in a properly oriented condition.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, afilm cartridge comprises a deflectable member positioned adjacent anopening in the cartridge for receiving a film feeding mechanism so thatsuch member. is deflected into the cartridge when engaged by the filmfeeding mechanism as it enters the cartridge. The deflectable memberthen provides a guide for directing the leading end of the film from theouter periphery of the cartridge toward the film roll for delivery to astripping finger of the film feeding mechanism.

The present invention also relates to an improved film feeding mechanismhaving a portion thereof adapted to engage a deflectable portion of thefilm cartridge for deflecting such portion into the cartridge. A filmfeeding mechanism according to this invention has means for narrowingthe usual slot between a film stripping member and a drive memberthereby to increase the force exerted by such members on the filmpassing therebetween to increase the efficiency of the drive and furtherto properly orient film strip so that it is easily acceptable byautomatic threading devices of the projector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is madeto the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are fragmentary elevation views of a motion pictureprojector illustrating apparatus of the present invention with portionsof the film cartridge of the invention being broken away to illustratemore clearly the internal portions of the cartridge, and showing a filmfeeding mechanism in accordance with this invention positioned in itsretracted position outside the cartridge (FIG. 1) and in a positionwithin the cartridge in engagement with the film roll for feeding filmfrom the roll (FIG. 2);

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of the apparatus as indicated byline 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating embodiments of thecartridge and the film feeding mechanism of the invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Because motion pictureprojection apparatus is well known, the present description will bedirected in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating moredirectly with, apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It isto be understood that elements not specifically shown or described maytake various forms well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, a film cartridge of the present inventionis shown supported on a plate 9 of a motion picture projector. The filmcartridge comprises a generally circular housing 12 which includes apair of spaced, substantially parallel side walls 13, one of which hasbeen broken away in FIGS. 1 and 2 to expose the interior of thecartridge. An edge wall or portion 14 of the cartridge extends betweenthe side walls along the perimeters thereof to define a substantiallyclosed chamber designated C. An opening 15 (best shown in FIG. 3) in theedge wall 14 permits entry of a film feeding mechanism 1 1. Reference ismade to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,554,462 and 3,547,373 for a more detaileddescription of cartridge features not disclosed in detail herein.

Rotatably supported within chamber C is a duo-flanged film reel 16having a core portion 17. One flange of the reel has been broken away inFIGS. 1 and 2 to show a film strip 18 wound about reel core portion 17to form a film rool 19. The film strip 18 is depicted in a clock-sprungcondition wherein the leading end 20 of the strip bears against theinner wall of the cartridge wall 14.

The film feeding mechanism 11 comprises a film stripping finger and afilm drive means 26. The latter comprises two pulleys and generally issimilar to the drive means disclosed in the aforementioned patent toMcKee. Drive means 26 includes a pulley 27 that is driven from shaft27a, an idler pulley 28 and an endless film feeding or drive belt 29which is trained about the two pulleys and driven in the directionindicated by the arrow. Pulley 27 can be driven by suitable projectormeans, such as disclosed in the patent to McKee. Idler pulley 28 isrotatably mounted on a shaft 30 which is supported by and extendsbetween the side walls 31, 32 (FIG. 3) of the film drive means.Preferably, both of the free ends of shaft 30 extend laterally outwardlybeyond the side walls 31, 32 to define a pair of bosses 33.

A film guide member is provided on the cartridge for guidingclock-sprung film back toward film roll 19 and stripping member 11. Inthe illustrated embodiment the film guide member comprises a tongue orleaf spring attached by a rivet 34 to the inside wall of cartridge sidewall 14. Spring 35 has a free end portion 36 of which extends towardopening 15 in the cartridge. Spring end portion 36 is engageable bydrive means 26 as it enters the cartridge. The free end 36 of leafspring 35 is preferably bifurcated as shown in FIG. 3 to form fingers orprongs 37, 38. Idler pulley 28 passes between prongs 37, 38 as it entersthe film cartridge, and the projecting bosses 33 of shaft 30 engage theprongs for deflecting the spring. The end portions of prongs 37, 38 arepreferably curved as shown so that they tend to grip bosses 33 as theyare flexed into the cartridge during film feeding operations.

When film is to be removed from the cartridge, first the strippingfinger 25 and then the drive means 26 are moved from their respectiveretracted positions (FIG. 1 and in phantom, lines in FIG. 2) to theirrespective engaged positions (FIG. 2). The drive means 26 pivots aboutshaft 270 and finger 25 moves about a pivot or shaft 46 that also slidesalong a guide slot 47 in plate 9, in a manner similar to that describedin the beforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,522,683. Movement of finger 25 iscontrolled by a cam surface 48 on the finger that rides along a cammember 49 on plate 9 so that the finger first moves to the right asviewed in FIG. 1 and then swings upwardly into the cartridge only when anotch 51 on the finger is aligned with the cam member 49. The bottom ofthe notch and the cam member also determines the maximum movement of thefinger into the cartridge. The stripping member is spring biased in acounterclockwise direction by spring means diagrammatically shown at 53so that its movement is limited by engagement of the end 40 of thefinger with the outer periphery of the roll unless, of course, the rollis so small that the bottom of notch 51 engages cam member 49. Thestripping mechanism can operate with rolls of widely varying diameters,such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When the stripping mechanism is moved into its FIG. 2 position, tip 40of finger 25 and a portion of belt 29 adjacent to or riding over idlerpulley 28 bears against the periphery of the film roll. As the filmfeeding mechanism moves into the cartridge, part of idler pulley 28passes between the prongs 37, 38 of spring 35, and bosses 33 engage theprongs and deflect the spring inwardly away from its FIG. 1 position andtoward its FIG. 2 position. The extent of deflection of the leaf springdepends, of course, on the distance the film feeding mechanism travelsbefore engaging the film roll. The film roll is rotated in an unwindingdirection by the drive belt 29 to drive the leading end 20 of film strip18 around the inner wall of the cartridge wall 14 and then along theinner surface of leaf spring 35 to the belt 29. When the leading end ofthe film strip engages belt 29, it is deflected radially inwardly towardthe nip defined by belt 29 and the film roll periphery. Continuedrotation of the film roll in an unwinding direction by the belt causesthe leading end 20 of the film to pass through the nip and intoengagement with the tip end 40 of the stripping fingenThe latterdeflects the film strip away from the film roll periphery along a filmpath defined by a substantially straight edge 45 of the stripping fingerand the adjacent reach of belt 29, i.e., the belt portion extendingbetween the pulleys 27 and 28 and nearest to edge 45. 7

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates an embodiment of a cartridge of this inventionwherein prongs 37 and 38 are eliminated. As shown in FIG. 4, a thindeflectable member 50 for guiding the film strip to the film feedingmechanism comprises the tongue like member that preferably is integrallyformed with edge wall 14 of the cartridge and may be separated fromother portions of the edge wall or from the side walls 13 by elongateslots 52, FIG. 5. The lower or free end of the tongue is solid ratherthan slotted as previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-3.Member 50 is deflectable into the cartridge by engagement of member 50either by the belt 29 or (as illustrated) by extensions or bosses 54 ofside plates 31 and 32 of the film feeding mechanism. The extensionsextend beyond the periphery of idler roller 28 and the belt 29 trainedthere around so that such extensions are engageable with the tongue 50of the cartridge, thereby permitting deflection of such tongue withoutencountering frictional engagement between the tongue and the drive beltthat might result in wear in the drive belt. The plate extensions alsohelp guide the film into the nip between the belt 29 and film roll 19.The cartridge construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 permits the filmfeeding mechanism to be essentially the same as illustrated in thebeforementioned McKee patent and eliminates the need to provide one orboth of the bosses 33 of the shaft 30. This construction alsofacilitates manufacture of the cartridge because the deflectable membercan be formed integrally with the cartridge, thereby eliminating theneed for attaching a separate spring member of the like as previouslydescribed. In other respects the cartridge shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can bethe same as the cartridge previously described and, accordingly, thesame reference numerals have been used to indicate the same or similarparts.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the film feeding mechanism 11 ofthis invention wherein a flexible finger-like resilient pressure memberor flap 62 extends from stripping finger 25 at the end portion thereofopposite from the tip 40. The pressure member is located on the sideedge 45 of the stripping finger that is adjacent to the drive belt 29and may be integrally formed from the finger, if desired. The pressuremember is engageable with the film as it passes between the strippingfinger and the drive belt to resiliently urge the film firmly intocontact with the drive belt adjacent the end of the stripping mechanismnearest to the self threading device of the motion picture projector,thereby effecting a very positive drive of the film in that area. Inaddition, this structure properly orients the film in the film channelor path between the film stripping member and the belt by preventingcocking or twisting of the film in the film path. Such is desirablesince film delivered from the film feeding mechanism in a twistedcondition may not be accepted by the automatic threading device of theprojector, thereby resulting in failure of the total film threadingoperation even though the film feeding mechanism operates successfullyfor extracting film from the cartridge. The free end 62a of the member62 may be inserted into a slot or opening 64 at the end of the strippingfinger, thereby to provide good control of the force exerted by suchmember against the film. However, if desired, the end of the member 62may be loose or free (as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 5) in whichcase it can serve to guide the film toward an automatic threading deviceof the projector.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be efiected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1 claim:

1. in a film cartridge for a cartridge-loading motion picture projector,the cartridge having a pair of spaced side walls and a peripheral wallextending therebetween to define jointly a substantially closed chamberfor a film roll, and means defining an opening in a cartridge wallthrough which at least a portion of a projector film feeding mechanismcan enter the chamber and engage the film roll for driving the film rollin an unwinding direction, the improvement comprising:

means l) on the cartridge adjacent to the opening and (2) deflectablefrom a first position to a second position by the projector film feedingmechanism as the latter enters the film cartridge to engage the filmroll for guiding, when in its second position, the leading end of thefilm roll from the peripheral wall of the cartridge toward the point atwhich the film feeding mechanism engages the film roll as the roll isrotated in an unwinding direction.

2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflectablemeans comprises:

an elongate flexible member having first and second end portions, saidfirst end portion being secured to the peripheral wall of the cartridge;and

two spaced prongs on said second portion engageable by portions of theprojector film feeding mechanism as said film feeding mechanism movesthrough the opening in the cartridge toward the film roll periphery.

3. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflectablemeans comprises a leaf spring secured at one end portion to theperipheral wall of the cartridge.

4. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflectablemeans comprises a thin, flexible integral portion of the peripheral wallof the cartridge, said peripheral wall defining with adjacent portionsof the wall a pair of spaced slots separating said portion of said wallfrom adjacent portions of the wall.

5. ln cartridge loading motion picture projection apparatus comprising acartridge having a pair of spaced side walls and a peripheral wallextending between the outer edges of the side walls to define asubstantially enclosed chamber for a film roll, means defining anopening in the peripheral wall, a projector film feeding mechanismadapted to enter the cartridge for extracting a leading end of a filmroll from the cartridge, the film feeding mechanism including aplurality of pulleys having an endless belt trained therearound, thebelt being engageable with a film roll in the cartridge for rotating theroll in an unwinding direction, the improvement comprising:

means including a deflectable member having a first end portion securedto the peripheral wall of the cartridge and a second end portion that isfree to move with respect to an adjacent portion of said peripheral wallfor guiding the film from said peripheral wall toward the point at whichsaid belt engages the film roll, and at least one boss extendingoutwardly from the film feeding mechanism and positioned to beengageable with the free end portion of the deflectable member as thestripping mechanism enters the cartridge through its opening fordeflecting said member into the chamber in the cartridge so that thedeflectable member defines a guide for film from the peripheral wall ofthe cartridge toward the point at which the stripping mechanism beltengages the film roll periphery, whereby the leading end of aclock-sprung roll may be guided toward said point as the film roll isrotated in an unwinding direction by the stripping mechanism.

6. The improvement as set forth in claim 5 wherein a portion of saidfree end of said deflectable member is curved to avoid disengagementbetween the boss of the stripping mechanism and said free end as themechanism moves toward engagement with the film roll periphery.

7. The improvement as set forth in claim 5 wherein said film feedingmechanism comprises a plurality of shafts mounting said pulleys, andsaid boss comprises an end portion of one of said shafts.

8. The improvement as set forth in claim 5 wherein said film feedingmechanism further comprises a side plate positioned adjacent saidpulleys, and said boss comprises an extension on said plate projectingbeyond the periphery of one of said pulleys and one of said plates.

9. The improvement as set forth in claim 5 wherein said film feedingmechanism further comprises a film stripping member engageable with thefilm roll for deflecting the leading end of film from the roll when theroll is rotated in an unwinding direction by said belt, and saidmechanism further comprising means on said film stripping member forurging the film into contact with the belt.

10. A film feeding mechanism for removing a leading end of a webmaterial from a roll of such material, the mechanism comprising:

drive means engageable with the roll for driving the roll in anunwinding direction;

a film stripping member engageable with the roll for lifting the leadingend of the web from the roll and defining with a portion of said drivemeans a web path for guiding the web away from the roll when said drivemeans and said film stripping members are in engagement with the roll;and

an elongate, resilient portion on said film stripping member engageablewith a web in said path for urging the web toward said portion of saiddrive means to assure film contact with the web by said drive means andsaid member.

11. A film feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 10 wherein said drivemeans comprises an endless belt trained around at least two pulleys, andsaid portion of said drive means comprises a reach of said belt.

12. A film feeding mechanism as set forth in claim 10 wherein saidresilient portion comprises a flexible finger-like member having afree-end portion.

it! t a t t

1. In a film cartridge for a cartridge-loading motion picture projector,the cartridge having a pair of spaced side walls and a peripheral wallextending therebetween to define jointly a substantially closed chamberfor a film roll, and means defining an opening in a cartridge wallthrough which at least a portion of a projector film feeding mechanismcan enter the chamber and engage the film roll for driving the film rollin an unwinding direction, the improvement comprising: means (1) on thecartridge adjacent to the opening and (2) deflectable from a firstposition to a second position by the projector film feeding mechanism asthe latter enters the film cartridge to engage the film roll forguiding, when in its second position, the leading end of the film rollfrom the peripheral wall of the cartridge toward the point at which thefilm feeding mechanism engages the film roll as the roll is rotated inan unwinding direction.
 2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1wherein said deflectable means comprises: an elongate flexible memberhaving first and second end portions, said first end portion beingsecured to the peripheral wall of the cartridge; and two spaced prongson said second portion engageable by portions of the projector filmfeeding mechanism as said film feeding mechanism moves through theopening in the cartridge toward the film roll periphery.
 3. Theimprovement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflectable meanscomprises a leaf spring secured at one end portion to the peripheralwall of the cartridge.
 4. The improvement as set forth in claim 1wherein said deflectable means comprises a thin, flexible integralportion of the peripheral wall of the cartridge, said peripheral walldefining with adjacent portions of the wall a pair of spaced slotsseparating said portion of said wall from adjacent portions of the wall.5. In cartridge loading motion picture projection apparatus comprising acartridge having a pair of spaced side walls and a peripheral wallextending between the outer edges of the side walls to define asubstantially enclosed chamber for a film roll, means defining anopening in the peripheral wall, a projector film feeding mechanismadapted to enter the cartridge for extracting a leading end of a filmroll from the cartridge, the film feeding mechanism including aplurality of pulleys having an endless belt trained therearound, thebelt being engageable with a film roll in the cartridge for rotating theroll in an unwinding direction, the improvement comprising: meansincluding a deflectable member having a first end portion secured to theperipheral wall of the cartridge and a second end portion that is freeto move with respect to an adjacent portion of said peripheral wall forguiding the film from said peripheral wall toward the point at whichsaid belt engages the film roll, and at least one boss extendingoutwardly from the film feeding mechanism and positioned to beengageable with the free end portion of the deflectable member as thestripping mechanism enters the cartridge through its opening fordeflecting said member into the chamber in the cartridge so that thedeflectable member defines a guide for film from the peripheral wall ofthe cartridge toward the point at which the stripping mechanism beltengages the film roll periphery, whereby the leading end of aclock-sprung roll may be guided toward said point as the film roll isrotated in an unwinding direction by the stripping mechanism.
 6. Theimprovement as set forth in claim 5 wherein a portion of said free endof said deflectable member is curved to avoid disengagement between theboss of the stripping mechanism and said free end as the mechanism movestoward engagement with the film roll periphery.
 7. The improvement asset forth in claim 5 wherein said film feeding mechanism comprises aplurality of shafts mounting said pulleys, and said boss comprises anend portion of one of said shafts.
 8. The improvement as set forth inclaim 5 wherein said film feeding mechanism further comprises a sideplate positioned adjacent said pulleys, and said boss comprises anextension on said plate projecting beyond the periphery of one of saidpulleys and one of said plates.
 9. The improvement as set forth in claim5 wherein said film feeding mechanism further comprises a film strippingmember engageable with the film roll for deflecting the leading end offilm from the roll when the roll is rotated in an unwinding direction bysaid belt, and said mechanism further comprising means on said filmstripping member for urging the film into contact with the belt.
 10. Afilm feeding mechanism for removing a leading end of a web material froma roll of such material, the mechanism comprising: drive meansengageable with the roll for driving the roll in an unwinding direction;a film stripping member engageable with the roll for lifting the leadingend of the web from the roll and defining with a portion of said drivemeans a web path for guiding the web away from the roll when said drivemeans and said film stripping members are in engagement with the roll;and an elongate, resilient portion on said film stripping memberengageable with a web in said path for urging the web toward saidportion of said drive means to assure film contact with the web by saiddrive means and said member.
 11. A film feeding mechanism as set forthin claim 10 wherein said drive means comprises an endless belt trainedaround at least two pulleys, and said portion of said drive meanscomprises a reach of said belt.
 12. A film feeding mechanism as setforth in claim 10 wherein said resilient portion comprises a flexiblefinger-like member having a free-end portion.